Scholastic releases official statement after court dismisses plagiarism lawsuit

by · January 6, 2011

Back in July of last year, we told you that the estate of British author Adrian Jacobs was suing Scholastic claiming that Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was “substantially similar” to Jacobs’ 1987 book The Adventures of Willy the Wizard.

Today, after a court dismissed the lawsuit, Scholastic released the following statement:

Scholastic is extremely pleased that Judge Scheindlin decided to dismiss, at the earliest stage possible, the lawsuit brought against Scholastic by the estate of Adrian Jacobs. The Court’s swift dismissal supports our position that the case was completely without merit and that comparing Willy the Wizard to the Harry Potter series was absurd. Judge Scheindlin clearly agreed, stating: “…the contrast between the total concept and feel of the works is so stark that any serious comparison of the two strains credulity.” Scholastic will continue to vigorously defend any such frivolous claims challenging the originality of Harry Potter and the brilliant imagination of its author, J.K. Rowling.